The Denver Post may launch free newspaper

Justice Department OKs creation of daily to woo 18-34 market

The Denver Post on Thursday cleared the first hurdle to launch a free daily newspaper, an option being considered in an effort to attract younger readers.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued its blessing to the Post’s owner, MediaNews Group, along with Rocky Mountain News parent E.W. Scripps, and their joint venture, the Denver Newspaper Agency.

The federal government must weigh in because the papers are part of a Joint Operating Agreement, an antitrust exemption that allows two newspapers to combine their business operations in the name of preserving independent editorial voices.

The Justice Department said that as proposed the free newspaper would not be an antitrust violation.

"The creation of a new edition likely will . . . create greater choice for both readers and advertisers in the Denver metropolitan area," attorney Thomas O. Barnett wrote on behalf of the Justice Department.

By David Milstead, Rocky Mountain News

Full Story: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_business/article/0,2777,DRMN_23916_4302093,00.html